--- On Fri, 8/15/08, Rock Drilon wrote:
Mag:net News
August
POKLONG BESTED ATENEO ART AWARDS
Poklong Anading's "Fallen Map", a Mag:net show held early this year
from 26 January to14 February at Magnet Gallery Katipunan bested over
10 short-listed shows in the recently concluded Ateneo Art Awards.
The 10 finalists were sorted out from some 130 exhibitions held during
the same period. This is the second time in a row that a Mag:net show
has won the country's premier contemporary art awards . Last year,
Lyle Buencamino also won the Ateneo Art Awards for his show "A Bowtie
for John Lyle" held from 4 to 31 July 2006 at the now defunct Mag:net
Gallery ABS. By some coincidence and despite their edginess, both
shows were sell-outs as well aside from being critical acclaimed.
Poklong who has earned the admiration of many artists young and old as
well as the country's leading collectors and gallerists is scheduled
for a another show in Mag:net next year.
THE JEWEL OF KATIPUNAN LAUNCHES A BOOK
Many who know this unassuming gentle-mannered poet, regard him as the
"jewel" of Katipunan. For what is happening to poetry in recent times
why is it strong in QC today can mainly be attributed to this jewel
known as Joel Toledo, award-winning and beloved poet, father, teacher,
musician-drummer, author and host of the Happy Mondays Poetry Nights
at Mag:net Katipunan.
We have been observing Joel Toledo for over a year now. His love for
the literary arts has actually made the Monday nights of Mag:net
Katipunan synonymous with poetry. Aside from hosting the readings
twice a month he also provides support to the other readings in
Mag:net and in other venues as well. Why these readings are always
jam-packed can only be because of a literary community that is
continually growing as Happy Mondays… enter its second year in Joel's
care. Joel who calls everyone older "Sir" or "Maam" and contemporaries
as "bayaw" is one of the more permanent fixture in Mag:net. Mentor to
many, there are certain days when he is overheard in the cafe
reminding waiters to disallow Miriam students from cutting classes and
from smoking while in uniform. He is always a teacher, in or out of
campus, on stage, or in the blogs.
Joel's most recent gift to the community is a 60-page book of his
poetry titled "Chiaroscuro", foreworded by Marjori Evasco and
published by the UST Publishing House with cover design by Pancho
Villanueva. "Chiaroscuro" was launched in Mag:net last week and was
well received by the community. Joel has a Masters degree in Creative
Writing (Poetry) from UP and teaches at Miriam College. He won the
second prize for poetry in the 2006 Bridport Prize in the United
Kingdom, the 1st and 3rd prizes in the Meritage Press Poetry in SF USA
and the 1st and 2nd prizes in the 2005 and 2004 Palanca Memorial for
poetry in English respectively. As expected, to date the book has
become Mag:net's best selling with copies sold reaching beyond 100 in
less than a week. Reasonably priced at P240 the book is only available
for now in Mag:net Katipunan and Ayala Avenue.
PARA KAY TARA
Word spread around fast and almost everyone has already heard about
what happened to Tara Santelices (Assumption Antipolo's Batch 2003 and
Ateneo de Manila University's Class of 2007, AB Political Science) and
guitarist of Saffron Speedway, a band that performs in Mag:net.
Early in the morning of her 23rd birthday, Tara was shot in the head
during a hold-up while riding a jeepney along Imelda Avenue, Cainta,
Rizal. Joee Mejias, who was with her at that time, rushed her to Amang
Rodriguez Memorial Hospital in Marikina City. The parents of Tara and
Joee arrived at the hospital shortly thereafter. When morning came,
Tara's parents finally decided to transfer her to the Medical City,
Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City. Since 8:00am of August 6, Tara has been in
the ICU fighting for her dear life.
Mag:net Café and Rock Ed Philippines, have decided to raise funds to
help pay for Tara's hospital bills. Held last 11 August at Mag:net
High Street, the event called "Para kay Tara" was hosted by Rock Ed's
Gang Badoy and Mag:net's Gabe Mercado and was participated in by
several bands who waved their honorarium fees. "Para kay Tara" is
catching fire not only as a fund raiser but also as a rallying point
for fellow artists to come together to help a fellow artist in need.
(We are experiencing overwhelming outpouring of support as musicians
scheduled to perform in the two Mag:net venues transform their gigs
into "Para kay Tara" events which by the way has also become a
campaign to push for safer streets. Authorities and the police should
wake up to change and make the metropolis safe in the evenings as
thousands and thousands of young people (not just musicians) now work
during the night shift in the call centers.
Laura Mejias, lead singer of Saffron Speedway who has been given the go-signal
by Tara's parents is coordinating incoming fund-raising events.
Musicians who want to help Tara in any way please coordinate with
Laura at 09064679632.
For direct donations, please proceed to the ICU Waiting Room, 3rd
Floor of the Medical City (Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City) and look for
Anne Marie F. Santelices (Tara's mother) or Joee Mejias.
For Mag:net Schedule of Exhibitions>
http://magnetgalleries.com/main.php
For Mag:net Schedule of Performances>
http://magnet.com.ph
Mag:net Art Triangle Location Map>
http://magnetgalleries.com/map.php
